Fairhaven Calls for Incorporation
The Whatcom County Commissioners issue a formal notice for the upcoming election to establish the city as an incorporated municipality.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Notice is hereby given that whereas on the 18th day of April, 1890, the Board of County Commissioners of Whatcom county, upon a petition duly presented, did fix the boundaries of the city of Fairhaven, and did find that the number of inhabitants therein is more than 200, they have ordered an election to be held on Tuesday, the 6th day of May, 1890, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters the question as to whether they should vote for or against the said incorporation, and also for the purpose of electing the various municipal officers required by law for corporations of the third class.
“Notice is hereby given that... an election to be held... for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters the question as to whether they should vote for or against the said incorporation.”
This election was a foundational moment for the Fairhaven district, transforming it from a collection of claims and early settlements into a legal city, a process that would ultimately set the stage for its later consolidation into modern Bellingham.
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